It has finally reached warm enough temps, that I was able to don SHORTS on my weekend photo hike. I felt all Spring-ish.
This week, I headed to Blackwater River State Park near Holt, FL. The water, while not actually black, is a very dark copper, thanks to the tannin from hardwoods growing along the white-quartz sand river banks. It’s still very clear and clean, it only looks like sun tea.
My family has spent many summer days canoeing on this river. While a slow paddle down the Blackwater would have been a great way to pass the day, instead I found a trail that took me on a slow amble through the forest.
Again, I had the trail to myself… grateful that there was no one around to hear my off-tune singing or witness my one-woman Soul Train dance line. Don Cornelius would have been proud.
Then there was this guy… I know the shot is blurry, but I wanted to keep my distance. The image was enlarged a bit, and I lost detail, but that really is the snout of a Florida gator.
(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens and/or a Nikon CoolPix S205)
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Oh my gosh…that turtle shot is unreal!?!
I grew up south of Baton Rouge, La…and these pictures make me a little homesick. Okay, maybe more than a little. Nice photos.
I like that Rockin’ Turtle Line Dance.
i love the bridge shot and the turtles! how cute!
EEEEEEEK on the gator!
wow. that turtle image is awesome! and i love the shot of the bridge
Okay, the gator has freaked me out. But the turtle statue shot calmed me.
Awesome photos! I especially love the turtles. You should get that one framed or put on canvs. I’m trying out my first Groupon for Canvas on Demand, and having one of my photos printed on canvas.($45 for a 16 x 20)
You have so many great photos, it would be tough to choose…
Love the turtles, I can’t wait until it’s warm enough to hit the water around her. The second one I think is my favorite.
Wow those are some really great photos – I love the shades of brown in the water and the vibrancy of the greens and the berries and all. Mine still don’t turn out that … vibrant I think is the only word.
And the turtles? They REALLY made me smile!
I just love the shot of the turtles!
Great job on the turtles…I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to get this shot at our park and it either comes out blurry or the turtles get bored of posing and flip off the log ;)
Shorts, yes. Gators, no. But I love the shot of the snapping turtles coming out to sun. Actually, I love all of these. Just got back from a brief sojourn to the OBX and didn’t take a single shot. What a bad scribbler I am…
what a lovely spot! the line of turtles is great.
“Gator” as in alligator!?!?!? Yikes. That would have turned my hike into a very fast run for high ground :-)
Love all your pics, especially the sweet turtle rain. Thanks for sharing your walk.
Happy SIMC, jj
it’s official – I NEED to come hike with you! I too love the turtle shot and have had my share of close encounter with gator snouts.
the turtle shot is crazy amazing.
Tara, I love your walks. <3
The Turtle shot was very cool; if my boys {including my hubby} ever saw anything like that on our walks, they would be stuck there for hours :)
I love them all…but the turtles are the ones that really made me smile!! Love love love :D
And the gator? YAY!! We love gators around here (it’s my middle ones nickname!!)
Great pictures. I especially like the turtle traffic que. I KNEW that was a gator – - – blur and all!
The line of turtles is such a beautiful picture I can hardly stand it. You really take such amazing pictures.
Love the photo of the line of turtles!
Next time, will you take some self-portraits of yourself dancing and singing? :)
Now see…that is exactly why I avoided Blackwater tubing in college…this gal is scared of gators!
Love that river’s color. I think it is fascinating that you will find a river or creek where the water is a unique color like that.
I am glad your ankle is better and you are able to go out hiking again, your photos are awesome.
I love the turtle shot and am kind of glad you couldn’t get closer to the gator!
Oh my goodness I am in LOVE with the turtle shot! print it and frame it :) wonderful pics!
Those turtles are SO COOL! WOW!
Love these… There’s just something about reconnecting with nature that’s so good for the soul.
eeek! Your walks are out of this world. :)
Here in Helsinki we don’t have that kind of waterlife…
I’m still waiting for the spring to come, snif!
Have a good week ahead!
Oh nice, I remember going there! Many fun trips in that water, along with many beers consumed and many water balloons chucked at other group canoes!